Research priority -Understanding transmission and ensuring prevention,early detection and treatment

Our efforts aim to understand transmission and develop better diagnostic techniques to detect and prevent the disease. The transmission of leprosy remains poorly understood. If we are to end the transmission of the disease, we must understand the mechanism of transmission better than we currently do.
We will invest in the generation of knowledge and evidence-based tools to interrupt transmission. These may include:
i. Point-of-care diagnostics tests,
ii. GIS mapping that combines transmission studies with epidemiology and public health,
iii. The under-studied aspects of transmission, such as factors that make people more of less infectious.
b. We will invest in the generation of knowledge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in leprosy. This may include
i. Large scale, longitudinal AMR surveys and mapping,
ii. Trialling alternative, better drug treatments.